Saturday, May 20, 2006

Thierry Henry ended months of speculation this past week and signed a four-year contract with Arsenal FC. He is the world's best striker - a man who can change the result of a game with amazing individual performances (see his goal versus Real Madrid video here). This is equivilent to Michael Jordan almost leaving the Bulls in his prime but at the last minute deciding he couldn't leave the windy city.

Thierry stated during his press conference:

'It's been amazing since I joined, there had been so much speculation about
me leaving - I won't lie, it crossed my mind. But I think with my heart and it
told me to stay.'

Thierry had the opportunity to go play for Barcelona FC in Spain and earn buttloads more money than Arsenal was offering. It's not often anymore in professional sports to find a top star taking less money to stay with the team he loves.

This makes me think of a great tune by Howe Gelb. The lead singer of Giant Sand released a solo album this year, 'Sno Angel Like You. A brief description of the album:

Howe recorded ‘SNO ANGEL LIKE YOU with the help of a Canadian gospel
choir called Voices of Praise, but this is not gospel music, in theme
or in content. Howe describes the album’s goal: “it was a grand
experiment to see if we could mesh the sounds of the muck I make with
the dizzying effect of the glorious sound [the choir] makes.” (link)

The choir act as an amazing layer woven into Gelb's honest lyrics. This is showcased on one track in particular, "Nail In the Sky". Peep the chorus:

Never going to leave,
Never going to leave this heart alone;
Hammer of the gods leaves a nail in the sky,
Home is where the hats hung high

Thierry Henry's hat will be hung high over North London for the rest of his career.

Would you skip your Senior HS Prom to go see a relatively obscure band from Australia? Thursday night at the Avalon, a group of like 15-20 kids made that choice. Architecture In Helsinki's music was the draw and those kids danced their asses off the entire night...to the delight of AIH.

My first trip to the old Limelight, I instantly took to this very cool venue housed in an old church. It took me quite a while to find a good spot amongst the packed crowd- at one point I ended up in the middle of the crazy prom-skipping kids. Quite fittingly Talking Head's "Naive Melody (This Must Be the Place)" began to play over the speakers as I settled into a spot directly underneath the steeple, dead center about 20 feet back.

AIH began their show with the very ominous intro to "Neverevereverdid" which sounded hellish before settling nicely into the meat of the opening track to In Case We Die. AIH's hour-long set consisted mostly of material from In Case. It also included one new song (didn't catch the name) and a couple off their second album ("The Owls Go" and "Fumble"). "It's 5!", "Wishbone", and "Frenchy, I'm Faking" had the floor of the Avalon shaking. Before "Cemetary", lead singer Cameron Bird commented on how suprised and thankful he was that the kids chose their show over the usual HS ritual and dedicated the song to them. During the first song of the encore, the band brought up to the stage one lucky couple to have their dance on stage during AIH's love track "Maybe You Can Owe Me". "Do the Whirlwind" brought the house down one final time after the lovey-dovey-ness of "Maybe...." Lots of energy, lots of dancing, lots of hand clapping. Leaving the Avalon I overheard one concert goer say: "THAT was a dance party!"

Thursday, May 04, 2006

I've seen children grow
On this field of green
On this field of dreams
The years have passed away
I've stood side by side With London's Pride
We laughed and we cried
We lived another day

To those Highbury Highs under North London skies
Yes we will remember those Highbury Highs
Those Highbury Days and those Highbury ways
Yes we will remember those Highbury Days

From Rocky,Ray and Raddy
To Dennis,Chippy,Paddy
The Rock of Tony Adams
The Joy of Charlie George
Chapman, Graham, Wenger
Yes we will remember
Henry,Bastin,Wright
And those record breaking scores

All those Highbury Highs under North London skies
Yes we will remember those Highbury Highs
Those Highbury Days and those Highbury ways
Yes we will remember those Highbury Days

May those Highbury Highs be with you all your days
May your Highbury Highs last forever

There’s one thing that's certain when they drop the final curtain
Something you can bet your shirt on The Arsenal's here to stay

All those Highbury Highs under North London skies
Yes we will remember those Highbury Highs
Those Highbury Days and those Highbury ways
We will always remember those Highbury..HIGHBURY..Highbury
Highbury..HIGHBURY

Highbury Highs say your final goodbyes
We will always remember those Highbury Highs
Say your final goodbyes to those Highbury Days
WE will always remember those Highbury Days
WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THOSE HIGHBURY DAYS

the Who's Roger Daltreywill pay tribute to his (and mine) favourite footy club, Arsenal FC, during the festivities surrounding the last game at the Gunner's current stadium this upcoming Sunday. Highbury (pronounced High-bree) is the most gorgeous, intimate sporting venue I have been to...it's no wonder Highbury's nickname is "The Home of Football".

Daltrey has penned an original composition in honour of Arsenal - he will perform this as well as a "Who classic".

Roger Daltrey said: “I’m honoured to be part of Highbury’s closing ceremony and this is why I’m performing a song inspired by the stadium and my personal memories of the place. I’m really looking forward to playing the set, but it’s tinged with sadness as I play out the Gunners’ home.”

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

It's been too long since I've posted on FB. A move, a new job, and life to blame for lack of updates. Stupid adult responsibilities....

I've marked my calendar for July 7th. I'll be chillin' at Jones Beach watching Gordon, Russo, Anastasio, and Benevento (G.R.A.B.) perform on their inaugural tour. I love the Duo. Obviously I love Trey and "Cactus" Gordon. I hope to all that's holy this band lives up to the expectations that are now building in my head.

Though Mike has been performing with the Duo on and off for the past three years, the genesis of the group came together earlier this year when Trey asked Mike and the Duo to join him for a recording session at a Brooklyn studio. Suffice to say, the material rocks. In addition to the new songs, the group will also draw on each other's repertoire and beyond.

We expect to announce up to an additional week of Trey & Mike with the Duo dates sometime shortly.